India is preparing to acquire Excalibur artillery rounds and the Javelin anti-tank missile system from the United States in a deal valued at close to ninety three million dollars. The approval for this potential purchase came from the US State Department after New Delhi sought these systems to strengthen the army’s readiness.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency has already sent the required notifications to the US Congress. This update follows roughly six months after India carried out Operation Sindoor against Pakistan in May, a response to the terror attack in Pahalgam. During that four day confrontation, Indian forces used Excalibur rounds fired from American supplied M seven seventy seven ultra light howitzers.
According to details shared by the agency, the Excalibur component of the purchase amounts to forty seven point one million dollars, while the Javelin package is valued at forty five point seven million dollars. The US assessment states that precision artillery like Excalibur will significantly enhance India’s ability to respond to present and future threats by improving strike accuracy at the brigade level.
The American statement explained that India has requested up to two hundred sixteen M nine eight two A one Excalibur precision projectiles. The package also contains a range of support items that are not classified as major defence equipment. These include portable electronic fire control systems with integration kits, propellant charges, primers, technical data, support from US government experts, repair services, and various logistical elements.
In a separate announcement, the agency said the Javelin sale aligns with Washington’s strategic and security goals in Asia by reinforcing its partnership with India. The order includes one hundred Javelin rounds, a single fly to buy missile for quality assurance, and twenty five command launch units from the lightweight or Block one series. Along with these, India will receive simulators, basic skills trainers, operator manuals, spare parts, training support, inspection assistance, system integration support, and other related items required for full operational use.
The agency also noted that supplying this equipment will not disturb the existing military balance in the region.
This development comes shortly after India and the United States signed a ten year roadmap for expanding defence cooperation. Defence minister Rajnath Singh and US defence secretary Pete Hegseth endorsed the framework in Kuala Lumpur during the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus.
The approval also coincides with New Delhi’s attempt to manage its diplomatic priorities, which include negotiating a trade agreement with the United States, restoring momentum in bilateral ties, and balancing its long standing relationship with Russia.
Last week, President Donald Trump signalled that Washington may reduce the current tariff burden on Indian exports, noting that India has substantially cut its imports of Russian crude oil, an issue that has been a major concern for the United States.
